A Russellville man was arrested Sunday morning on the charges of terroristic threatening, attempted burglary, and aggravated assault after allegedly shooting at police officers and breaking into a house.

Basil Sanford, 22, was given a $75,000 bond Monday morning in a contentious bond hearing, where Sanford denied most of the allegations made against him.

A woman called Russellville police early Sunday morning saying she received a phone call from Sanford, who said he had been jumped and he “wasn’t going to stand for it.” While officers spoke with the woman, Sanford called her back. She put him on speakerphone and told him she was with police officers. He told her he didn’t care, that he had a gun and he would shoot them.

Shortly after, police were dispatched to an apartment in Russellville concerning a disturbance. They met with the victim who said that a male fitting Sanford’s description was beaten up in an altercation earlier outside his apartment, and returned to the apartment wielding knives and demanding to see the guy who beat him up.

When the victim told him he had left, Sanford said, “How about I just kill you, [expletive]?” Sanford allegedly tried to force his way into the apartment, but the victim was able to close and lock the door.

A search for Sanford ensued, and while searching for him, an officer claimed he heard four distinct gunshots being fired near him. The police eventually apprehended Sanford, and he was taken into custody and questioned. He denied shooting at officers, saying he was a veteran of the war in Afghanistan, and that if he shot at them, they would be dead. Police said that Sanford was in the National Guard for a short time, was never deployed, and was discharged for failing drug tests. Sanford responded by saying he was deployed for a year at Camp Taji.

As he was being transported to the detention center, Sanford said that he was diagnosed with a mental disease and hadn’t had his medicine for three days. During the bond hearing, Sanford elaborated, saying he’s struggled with schizophrenia and needed his medication.

Sanford denied the allegation that he shot at police officers.

“Where’s the gun at?” he asked during the bond hearing. “Was there any bullet holes in the car? I never was in possession of any gun. I can’t even own a gun. I wouldn’t have taken a gunshot residue test if I had shot at someone.”

"Sick" or not, there's no excuse for being an ass-hat, causing trouble in the community, assaulting people, and threatening the lives of public safety personnel. Badged men and women swear an oath to protect people like this loser, and he has the audacity to threaten them?

I'm "sick", too. Sick of watching the dregs of society suck up all tax money I'm paying in to the state. We need a three strikes law to get repeat offenders off the streets forever.